Letters to the Editor 8/10/17

In the front row at Gov. Bruce Rauner’s January 2015 inauguration, legislative leaders contemplate the future.

PHOTO BY NANCY STONE/TNS

MADIGAN’S TO BLAMEI believe it is rather clear that there will not be any meaningful reforms passed by the House as long as Michael Madigan is speaker. He made sure the budget got to such a crisis state that even some Republicans felt compelled to vote for the budget, even though Speaker Madigan reneged on passing any reform measures. I am sure he was also instrumental in holding back SB1 so it would also be in a crisis mode.

Some people have said that other Republican governors have been able to compromise with Madigan in years past, but they forget that he has had at least 12 more years to build his dynasty. Also, the members of the House continue to give him dictator powers. No one person should have that kind of power. Heaven help us.Tyre W. ReesSpringfield

LIVE COMMUNITY THEATERThank you to Illinois Times from everyone involved (cast, crew, volunteers and audience members) in your sponsorship of Arsenic and Old Lace at Theatre in the Park at New Salem. Perhaps nothing is quite as uniquely enchanting as a summer evening under the stars enjoying some of the best of Springfield’s plentiful theatrical talent performing a classic American comedy with such style and delight.

Next year will be the 100th anniversary of live community theatre in Kelso Hollow. We hope everyone will help those of us who treasure the natural beauty and historical significance of this venue to celebrate by becoming part of the tradition.

Dennis DarlingSpringfield

GRADUATED INCOME TAXIs a graduated income tax system on Illinois’ horizon? If you are a resident of Illinois, you are probably aware that the General Assembly passed a 32 percent state income tax increase and a 38 percent corporate income tax increase. What you probably don’t know is this legislation also took the first step towards instituting a graduated income tax in the state of Illinois.

Three new provisions were implemented which are based on personal income. Single filers with incomes exceeding $250,000 and joint filers with incomes exceeding $500,000 will no longer be able to claim personal exemption allowances, the Illinois Property Tax Credit and the K-12 Education Expense Credit. In other words, we now have a system where the more you make, the more you pay – a graduated income tax system. A system that penalizes success and ambition.

It is interesting that these “progressive” elements of the legislation have gotten little to no media coverage. However, I am not surprised. Those who promulgated and passed this legislation do not want to bring this to the public’s attention.

Make no mistake about it, the inclusion of these income-based tax increases is a foreshadowing of future tax policy. Unless changes are made in the composition of the General Assembly, graduated income tax rates are next. Remember that the next time you vote for your representatives in the General Assembly.Stephen W. DeFilippisWheaton